Delayed correction of anorectal incontinence due to anal sphincteral injury.

True anorectal incontinence, often the result of obstetrical or surgical injury to the anal sphincteral muscles, can be identified precisely. Although a variety of surgical procedures are available for correction of this defect, this report describes the repair method of overlapping the severed ends of the anal sphincteral muscles. Five patients had injuries associated with the birth of children; one patient had had a previous surgical injury; and one patient had anal tuberculosis. Only the last patient did not have an excellent result, and he experienced considerable improvement.